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Hydroponic Age

The terms “hydroponic” or “indoor growing” are often attached to an illegal gardener attempting to grow marijuana plants without detection, rigging ventilation and looking over their shoulder hoping their crop in an attic, closet, or basement is a success. This is, of course, an inaccurate portrayal of hydroponic growing. However, when most of our food supply (including grains and vegetables) comes from industrial production, the full value and benefits of personal hydroponic growing aren’t always obvious. We are used to buying foods without knowing the source and eating things with a barcode.

Today there aren’t a wealth of examples of people who garden for more than a hobby or a cash crop but this is a strictly modern-day view. A century ago Americans were much more accustomed to growing their own nourishment. During World War 1, it was feasible for the USDA to encourage citizens to grow food and make full use of backyard spaces or even vacant lots.

However most people entered this century completely detached from the idea of growing food. In the 1980s we may have declared the small scale American farmer almost completely extinct but interesting changes in our collective opinions have meant a resurgence in personal gardening for food.

Spurred by a troubled economy or health concerns Americans are showing renewed interest in controlling their personal food supply. But this is still the modern day, our backyards have shrunk, or for apartment dwellers don’t exist, many code restrictions prohibit front yard gardens, and the vacant lot business…that’s just ridiculous. So where and how can those with the desire to grow, grow?

Hydroponic and indoor gardens mean that you don’t need to have acres of land to successfully grow delicious, organic, plants, vegetables and herbs. Avid Brew and Grow offers solutions for growing everywhere from small backyards to apartment balconies.